Russellville Cyclones senior pitcher Derek Birginske signs his national letter of intent to play baseball at Arkansas State University next year, while his parents Lisa (left) and Todd look on. Birginske will receive a rare full-ride scholarship from the Red Wolves. (THE COURIER / Kevin Hill)

Russellville Cyclones senior pitcher Derek Birginske has been the unquestioned leader for his baseball team, Head Coach Matt Long said, and his hard work and perseverance paid off Tuesday when he became the second Russellville senior in as many days to sign a letter of intent to play for Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

Lady Cyclones golfer Libby Croom signed a LOI on Monday.

Not only was Birginske asked to play for the Red Wolves, ASU Head Coach Tommy Raffo extended a rare full-ride scholarship.

“The full ride helped a lot,” Briginske said of why he chose Arkansas State. “But I’ve really been praying about it, and it just kept coming to my head that this was where I needed to go.”

Long, a graduate of ASU, said he’s not surprised Birginske was given this opportunity.

“It’s ironic that Coach (Tommy) Raffo at ASU is looking at Derek as a dual player, because if this kid is on at the mound and at the plate — and defensively for that matter — we’re on,” he said. “We kind of go as Derek goes. When he struggles, we struggle. It’s a given fact: he’s our leader.”

Aside from the scholarship and prayer, Birginske said he just felt comfortable with the coaching staff for the Red Wolves.

“They seemed really trustworthy, which is really good,” he said. “They didn’t seem to coat around the edges. They seemed straight-forward. Plus I like their pitching coach.”

Both Birginske and Long bragged about ASU’s facilities.

“That’s a program with awesome facilities,” Long said. “They’ve got an indoor facility that’s awesome. Their natural-surface complex is awesome. Their coaching staff is top-notch and has won at other places.”

“I like their field,” Birginske added. “It’s a pitcher’s field, which is good because I like to pitch. It’s a really big field. And their wall is black, where most fields they’re green. I like the black wall. I really like their mound. I played up there a couple times this summer and I really liked their mound.”

Long said he believes Birginske’s biggest contributor to his success is his faith.

“I’ve been around him for four years and I’ve never heard a bad thing come out of his mouth,” Long continued. “He’s the kind of kid that’s in church every time the doors are open. Just like his grandfather said, he’s praying about his playing career, he’s praying about his school. I’ve said it before, if my son grew up just like that kid, I’d be thrilled to death.”

Birginske said he’s not really concerned about next year, whether he’ll pitch and play outfield for the Red Wolves. Right now he’s more worried about what’s right in front of him: his senior season at Russellville.

“We should have a really good year,” He said. “Shoot, we should get to the championship game, to tell you the truth. We have a lot of seniors. We have three dominant pitchers on the mound. Our hitting has been really good the past two years.”